Philippine Bishop Issues Pastoral Guidance on SSPX, Forms Support Team for Faithful

Bishop Elias L. Ayuban Jr. of Cubao, part of Metro Manila in the Philippines, has issued a pastoral letter clarifying the Catholic Church's position on the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) following the Vatican's declaration that recent episcopal ordinations carried out by the traditionalist group without papal approval constituted a schismatic act.

In the July 6 letter addressed to priests, consecrated men and women, lay faithful of the Diocese of Cubao, and members of the SSPX, Bishop Ayuban said he was issuing guidelines "with fraternal concern for the unity of the Church, the integrity of the sacraments and the pastoral care of the faithful."

The pastoral guidance follows the July 2 decree and explanatory note issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), which declared that the bishops involved in the unauthorized episcopal consecration of four SSPX priests incurred latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication after proceeding without a pontifical mandate and against the will of Pope Leo XIV.

In his letter, Bishop Ayuban reiterated that episcopal ordinations performed without the mandate of the Holy Father are "an act of schism," describing schism as a rupture in communion with the Successor of Peter and a wound to the unity of the Church.

He stressed that those responsible for the schismatic actions "have inflicted upon themselves a latae sententiae excommunication" under the Code of Canon Law, while encouraging clergy and the faithful to respond with "pastoral prudence, doctrinal clarity and brotherly charity."

Rather than condemnation, the bishop urged priests to accompany those attached to the SSPX with patience and understanding.

"Through preaching and catechism, may we avoid condemnation but approach the matter with pastoral tact and sensitivity," he wrote, adding that the diocese seeks opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation with those associated with the Society.

To address the spiritual needs of those affected, the Diocese of Cubao will organize a group of priests and lay faithful tasked with providing information, counseling and pastoral assistance.

Bishop Ayuban also announced that the Traditional Latin Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal will continue to be celebrated in the Diocese of Cubao. He said the diocese will explore making additional Traditional Latin Masses available to devotees in accordance with the norms of Traditionis Custodes, Pope Francis' 2021 apostolic letter regulating the use of the pre-Vatican II liturgy.

Concluding his letter, the bishop renewed the diocese's fidelity to Christ and the Church, assured prayers for Pope Leo XIV, and appealed for unity.

"Most importantly, let us fervently pray for unity," he wrote. "As we place our hope in the prayer of Jesus, we beg the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, that we may be one body in Christ and the wounds of division may be healed."

The pastoral letter comes amid worldwide responses from Catholic bishops following the Vatican's declaration concerning the SSPX, which proceeded with the unauthorized consecration of four bishops in Switzerland on July 1 despite warnings from the Holy See.